It’s all about results, admits worried McCarthy
Varney set up a thrilling Premier League contest on Saturday with a stunning volley after just three minutes at Bloomfield Road and Harewood added a second just before the interval.
Kevin Doyle set up a tense finish after Nenad Milijas hit the post for Wolves in a fine second-half response but the hosts held on.
McCarthy admitted the pressure was mounting after his side slipped to yet another defeat – their ninth loss in 11 games, to remain entrenched in the bottom three.
McCarthy said: “All us managers know, whichever league you are in, in football games you need results.
“If you are not getting results the pressure mounts but I don’t sit and worry about that. I worry about not getting points.”
Blackpool had gone into the game with the worst home record in the league but they looked sprightly from the onset against the team with the worst away form.
Wolves were looking to keep a clean sheet for the first time this season but their plans were in tatters almost as soon as the game had started.
Blackpool were buoyed by the presence of inspirational captain Charlie Adam after an injury scare but their stunning opener had nothing to do with the Scot’s creativity.
Varney, wide on the left, chested a long Ian Evatt ball past Kevin Foley and watched it bounce before unleashing an inch-perfect 25-yard shot which looped over Marcus Hahnemann and dipped under the crossbar.
“It was an absolutely audacious effort,” gushed Seasiders boss Ian Holloway. “I don’t think I have seen a better goal in a long time.’’
The visitors tried to respond but George Elokobi’s shot was blocked.
Harewood tested Hahnemann with a 30-yard shot but the American saved comfortably low down.
Wolves began to enjoy some possession but Blackpool got numbers back. Adam headed away a corner from under his crossbar and goalkeeper Richard Kingson, playing in place of injured first choice Matt Gilks, was not worried by a header from Christophe Berra.
Doyle also headed wide of the post for McCarthy’s side.
McCarthy was clearly not happy with the performance of Foley, back from international duty with the Republic of Ireland, who had been shifted infield soon after Varney’s goal with Michael Mancienne moving to right-back.
With less than half an hour gone Foley was taken off by McCarthy and replaced by Milijas.
Soon after, a lapse of concentration by Hahnemann allowed Blackpool to double their lead.
Hahnemann came out to claim a David Vaughan corner but missed the ball and Varney headed down.
Harewood was on hand to stab towards goal and the ball found its way across the line despite the last-ditch efforts of Matt Jarvis.
The visiting fans turned their frustration on the team and chanted, ‘What a load of rubbish’ at half-time.
As a result, Wolves started the second period in determined fashion but David Jones sliced a good chance wide.
Blackpool continued to attack themselves and DJ Campbell beat Berra in the box but failed to find anyone with his cross.
Doyle, as ever working tirelessly, twice went close, first dragging a shot across goal and then picking out Kingson. Milijas went even closer after a powerful run down the middle, striking a left-foot shot which beat Kingson to his left but rebounded to safety off the post.
Wolves continued to press and were finally rewarded five minutes from time as Doyle headed home at the far post from an Elokobi cross.
Campbell spotted Hahnemann out of goal in injury time but his effort from inside his own half stopped short.
But it was job done for Holloway’s side, as they pushed clear of the drop zone.
Holloway said: “We will take that but I felt for the first time we didn’t dominate possession, we didn’t get our game going.
“I thought Wolves were very hard done by. They made it really difficult for us. It is the first time at this level when we have got something probably unjustly.”
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